Distracted DrivingApril 2019

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• Statistics• Top 10 Distractions• Increased Odds• Types of Distracted

Driving• Cognitive Distractions• Visual Distractions• Manual Distractions

Distracted Driving

• At any given time, an estimated 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones while behind the wheel.

• 1.6 Million crashes each year are linked to cell phone use while driving.

• Every day, at least 9 people are killed and over 1,000 people are injured due to a distracted driver.

• 25% of car accidents are caused by texting and driving.

• Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause a crash than drunk driving.

Did you know….

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

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1. Daydreaming2. Cell phone use3. Outside person, object or event4. Other occupants5. Using or reaching for a device brought into

the vehicle6. Adjusting the audio or climate controls7. Eating or drinking8. Using other device/controls integral to the

vehicle9. Moving object in the vehicle10. Smoking related

*Erie Insurance data complied 2012-2016

Top 10 Distractions in Fatal Crashes

Increased Odds

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The odds of you causing a crash are much greater when driving distracted.

According to the National Safety Council, you are:

• 3.4x more likely to crash if you’re reading

• 8.8x more likely to crash if you’re reaching for a moving object

• 8.8x more likely to crash if you turn around in your seat

• 4x more likely to crash if you’re talking on a cell phone

• 8-23x more likely to crash if you’re texting

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Types of Distracted Driving

Visual DistractionCognitive Distraction

Manual Distraction

Cognitive distraction is when a driver’s mind isn’t focused on

driving.

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Cognitive Distractions

The human brain cannot focus on two things at the same time. Cognitive distractions, such as emotional stress, talking to a passenger or using your cell phone, can slow your reaction time. Your brain switches back and forth between the two, which prevents you from giving your full attention to driving.

According to the National Safety Council, drivers can miss seeing up to 50% of their driving environment (including pedestrians and red lights) when talking on the phone. This includes when using a hands-free device.

Even if you only use the phone when stopped at a stop light, you will remain distracted for up to 27 seconds after sending the text.

Visual distraction is when a driver is looking at anything

other than the road.

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Visual Distractions

Visual distractions include: changing the radio, looking at GPS, grooming, and texting, etc.

Texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.

On average, answering a text takes your attention for 5 seconds. If you are traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field!

Dialing a number or sending a voice to text is not only mentally distracting but is a visual distraction as well. Drivers will take their eyes off the road to check for autocorrect errors and proper translation.

Manual distraction is when a driver takes one or both hands

off the wheel.

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Manual Distractions

Manual distractions include: changing the radio, eating, grooming, texting, reaching for an object, etc.

Manuals distractions are often combined with visual distractions. If you are taking one or both hands off the wheel, you are most likely looking at whatever has caused you to do so.

It is important to keep your hands on the wheel for maximum safety.

Distracted Driving

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0www.safetyfirst.com (201)267-8900

Tips to prevent distracted driving:

1. Don’t use cell phones while driving – handheld or hands-free – except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.

2. If you are drowsy, pull off the road.3. Limit the number of passengers as well as the level of activity inside the car.4. Eat or drink before getting on the road.5. Finish your personal grooming and dressing at home.6. Address the GPS, seats, mirrors, climate control and sound systems before leaving and pull over if

adjustments are needed.7. Enlist the help of passengers to help you stay focused.8. Secure children and pets before you get underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road

safely before caring for them.9. Secure any loose items so that you are not tempted to reach for them if they roll around.10. Save serious discussions for a different time.